A little investigation

A couple of weeks ago we listened to a talk provided  by the Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership and given by David Johnson, an expert in Lime Kilns. The talk focused on an excavation project that took place last year at Pendragon Castle, the aim of which was to examine and date what was thought to be an early lime kiln. The talk was fascinating and as a result I bought David Johnson’s book on lime kilns generally.

We have so many of these kilns in Cumbria and one is likely to come across them all over the place. I knew that they were used to burn, or fire, limestone to produce lime for use on the land and in building. I realised however, when I read the book, how little I actually knew about them - that there are different kinds, for different purposes and they date from different times. So we are investigating, as far as we can in the present circumstances. 

It is known that the Romans used lime extensively in their buildings and many possible sites for their kilns have been located. In medieval times the kind of lime kiln was a clamp kiln, known locally as a sow kiln, meaning crude and unstructured. Some stonework was used, but mainly they were clay based and covered with turf and often built into an existing slope. In the photo you can see the shape of the kiln that was excavated, on the slope below the castle. 

What I hadn’t realised was that lime kilns were often built and used specifically for one building project and then dismantled. And this is the case at Pendragon, where dating suggests that it was used between 1660 and 1661 whilst Lady Anne Clifford was rebuilding the castle. 

Broadband Update
They have arrived in the village - holes dug all over the place and cables being laid. Not long to wait now, apparently.